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This will be the first thread in the new estrogen forum/women's forum 101. Guys are also permitted here. :D

Do you watch HGTV or other design shows? It's both saved us (and also cost us) a bunch of bucks. One tip helped a lot----to shop your own house. I've saved lots of cash by just looking around at some of our "junk" and reusing it in a different room in a different way.

"The efforts of the government alone will never be enough. In the end the people must choose and the people must help themselves" ~ JFK; from his famous inauguration speech (What Democrats sounded like before today's neo-Liberals hijacked that party)

Big-buck budgets are the rule of thumb in Bravo's 'Million Dollar Decorators,' the latest design reality show to take the nation by storm. But they're far from routine in the real world.

"Times have changed. In this day and age, you can't just use your regular high-end standbys. Even my wealthy clients are pulling back, especially on art," says New York designer Christopher Coleman.

But truth be told, Coleman, and a host of other big-name design insiders, have always loved a good bargain. "I find such great, well made things at West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate, CB2 and Target that I often buy them in multiples and put them away in a storage locker so I have them when I need them for a certain project, because … when it's gone, it's gone for good," he notes. "And I'm sure some of these things are going to be collectibles some day."

Recent case in point: A chrome legged bench he snagged at Target for $99 and "is now truly gone for good," he laments.

Buying these pieces is not only easier on a budget; it's good common sense. "There's no need to spend more than necessary, especially when the big brand stores such as West Elm and Target are hitting home runs with their products and price points," says Jon Call, who heads Mr. Call Designs in New York and is creative producer for HGTV's upcoming High Low Project with Sabrina Soto. "It's simple economies of scale. They can make it better for less in mass quantities." ...

Great idea. I've been buying some good looking pieces at Crate & Barrel and at CB2. I take it a step further---I wait til those pieces are on sale.

My only problem was the purchase of 4 leather "folio" chairs from C&B 5 years ago. Perhaps I'm expecting perfection, but the tops of the leather chairs started cracking about 2 years ago. The move to Florida interfered with my attempts to get C&B to address the problem.

In January on a visit to the C&B store in the Tampa area, we brought a few of those chairs there for them to see. A customer service guy took a photo and promised to get back to me. SR's stroke interfered with my quest for some solution to the problem.

I got my own solution---sold 1 in the Women's Exchange here locally and donated the others to the Salvation Army. I griped again when we were at the C&B last weekend. Someone finally called back and said they're sending me a $75 gift card. It's not total reimbursement but it helps.

‎" To the world you are just one more person, but to a rescued pet, you are the world.""A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!"

Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill & eat you. People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.” Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter

Great idea. I've been buying some good looking pieces at Crate & Barrel and at CB2. I take it a step further---I wait til those pieces are on sale.

My only problem was the purchase of 4 leather "folio" chairs from C&B 5 years ago. Perhaps I'm expecting perfection, but the tops of the leather chairs started cracking about 2 years ago. The move to Florida interfered with my attempts to get C&B to address the problem.

In January on a visit to the C&B store in the Tampa area, we brought a few of those chairs there for them to see. A customer service guy took a photo and promised to get back to me. SR's stroke interfered with my quest for some solution to the problem.

I got my own solution---sold 1 in the Women's Exchange here locally and donated the others to the Salvation Army. I griped again when we were at the C&B last weekend. Someone finally called back and said they're sending me a $75 gift card. It's not total reimbursement but it helps.

I have an eclectic mix of furniture from antiques to Ikea, it has grown gradually over the years. The trick to buying the bargain brands is to get plain and simple pieces and add a more individual (or expensive) accessory, and stay away from anything too 'fashionable' so you're not tempted to buy again when you tire of it.